Shifting disease patterns and outbreaks affect the recommendations and information we provide to travellers during a pre-travel consultation. Each week Travelvax updates the current travel health alerts to reflect those issues which could affect travellers heading to a particular region or country. We do this by scanning the websites of health agencies such as the World Health Organization and the European and US Centers for Disease Control, as well as international news media. Simply click on the point on the map of your area of interest for more details on the current health alert. We also include Advice for Travellers which gives background information and tips. If you have any further questions, of course you can give our Travelvax infoline a call during business hours on 1300 360 164.
World travel health alerts for 14th of May 2024
Dengue Outbreaks Continue in the Caribbean
Over 3.5 million cases and more than 1,000 deaths of dengue fever have been reported in the Americas for 2024, which is 3 times more cases than the same period in 2023. Countries seeing the increase are Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, and Mexico. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which breed in shady areas close homes and other accommodation. They bite mainly during the daylight hours, making them difficult to avoid outdoors. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever and preventing insect bites.
Bolivia and Brazil oropouche fever outbreaks continue
The CDC has issued a level 1 alert for travellers, advising an increase in Oropouche fever in Peru, Brazil and Bolivia, that is spread through the bites of infected midges flies and mosquitoes. Brazil’s Amazonas state has registered 1,066 human cases of the Oropouche virus for late 2023-2024. Travellers should seek medical advice if they develop high fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light during or after travel. Read more
Advice for travellers
Oropouche virus is part of the orthobunyavirus family, with an incubation period of 4 to 8 days. Similar to dengue, symptom onset is sudden and typically includes fever, headache, musculoskeletal pain, chills, and sometimes, nausea. Some patients experience aseptic meningitis. Most patients recover in about a week, but for some, symptoms linger for weeks.
It is mainly spread by a species of biting midge called Culicoides paraensis but can also be transmitted by certain Culex mosquitoes. Read more
ZIKA cases surge to more than 6,500 for 2024
Brazil continues leading the Americas with over 6,599 Zika cases in 2024. As reported by the PAHO, most people will recover from a Zika virus infection, but unfortunately congenital Zika is a devastating and frequent consequence of maternal Zika virus infections. Northeast Brazil was the first region to detect a significant increase in babies affected by the virus. Read more
Advice for travellers
Zika’s symptoms include a rash, pain in the joints, and the eye condition, conjunctivitis lasting 4-7 days. Long-term ill-effects are rare, although the joint pain may linger for weeks, even months. Like dengue and chikungunya, Zika is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which bite by day and are found in urban setting, including leafy gardens and outdoor restaurants – even in upmarket hotels and resorts. Transmission of Zika virus has also occurred during pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexually and also through blood or blood products. Travellers should take particular care to avoid being bitten just after sunrise and just before sunset, the main feeding time for Aedes mosquitoes. All travellers, but particularly pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, should seek medical advice before travel to Zika-affected areas. Read more about Zika virus through healthdirect.
Whooping cough epidemic sweeps Europe
European countries have reported a surge in pertussis (whooping cough) cases with 10 times as many identified as in each of the previous two years. Almost 60,000 cases have been reported by European Union and European Economic Area countries, with 11 deaths in infants and eight deaths in older adults. Read more
Advice for travellers
Travelvax Australia recommends that all travellers ensure they are current for whooping cough (pertussis) and all childhood vaccinations, including, diphtheria, measles, chickenpox and tetanus for travel to any destination – be it a developed or developing country. Read more about pertussis.
Dengue surges
Dengue cases in Sudan’s war-ravaged capital are surging as the country’s healthcare system nears collapse.
A hospital in Khartoum recently identified 720 new cases of the virus, which spreads mainly through mosquito bites.
Healthcare workers suspect the new outbreak has been caused by the accumulation of medical waste, including human organs, outside of vital healthcare facilities, and a lack of sanitation. Read more
Advice for travellers
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes which breed in shady areas close homes and other accommodation. They bite mainly during the daylight hours, making them difficult to avoid outdoors. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever and preventing insect bites.
Measles cases updated report
2024 update reports a total of 128 measles cases in 20 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Read more
Advice for travellers
Measles is a highly contagious virus and can cause serious illness in people of all ages. Most cases reported in Australia are linked to overseas travel - both developing and developed countries. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps 6 weeks before departure.
Pennsylvania reports H1N2v flu case
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a variant H1N2 (H1N2v) infection in a patient younger than 18 years, marking this as the first variant influenza A case for 2024. An investigation into the source of the illness found that the patient had contact with pigs before symptoms began. Read more
Advice for travellers
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but rare human infections have occurred. (For more information about swine influenza infections in humans, see Variant Influenza Viruses in Humans).
App launched to involve locals in fight against dengue-spreading mosquito
Uruguay's Health Ministry has launched a “Mosquito Alert” APP for the population to use to help the authorities fight the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which causes the spread of dengue, zika, and chikungunya. APP users are asked to report through a pic on their phone, mosquitoes or breeding sites in public spaces, so the health teams can take action. Read more
Advice for travellers
Advice for travellers: Dengue is spread by two types of Aedes mosquitoes. Both breed close to dwellings, are found in shady areas and bite mainly during the daylight hours, making them difficult to avoid. Travellers should cover up with long-sleeved tops, long pants, and shoes and socks when mosquitoes are most active. Apply repellent containing an active ingredient, such as DEET, Picaridin, or PMD when outdoors to all exposed skin. Read more about dengue fever.
First case of Japanese encephalitis for 2024
The first case in 2024 of Japanese encephalitis has been recorded in Vietnam, in the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak. The local health authorities are expanding their Japanese Encephalitis vaccine program to catch-up on the residents who require vaccination. Read more
Advice for travellers
A mosquito-borne virus, JE is usually found in many part of Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and China, although cases also occur in Indonesia and PNG, and now parts of Australia. It is mainly found in rural areas around rice paddies where pigs, wading birds and humans live closely together, however it does also occur in or near cities. The risk to short-stay travellers who confine their travel to urban centres and use appropriate mosquito bite avoidance measures is low. The recommendations for vaccination are itinerary-specific. Read more on JE.